The NFL had another crazy week, as teams finally started to figure out their playoff fate. The Cincinnati Bengals clinched the AFC North with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs, significantly hurting the Baltimore Ravens’ playoff hopes (the Ravens lost to the Los Angeles Rams anyway).
In the NFC, the Green Bay Packers took care of business Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings to clinch the No. 1 seed. The Arizona Cardinals remained alive in the NFC West race with the Rams after knocking off the Cowboys and need a win next week and a Rams loss to win the division.
The Chiefs’ loss to the Bengals gave the Tennessee Titans the No. 1 seed in the AFC, which Tennessee can clinch with a win over the Texans in Week 18. The Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday — eliminating some chaos in the crazy AFC wild card race.
Below, you can find a division-by-division breakdown of the current standings and what each contender is facing on its schedule the rest of the way.
AFC East
x- clinched playoff berth
e-eliminated from playoffs
Buffalo Bills
What to know: The Bills didn’t lock up the AFC East yet, but clinched a playoff berth with a win over the Falcons. They clinch the AFC East in Week 18 with a win.
Remaining schedule: vs. Jets
New England Patriots
What to know: The Patriots clinched a playoff berth with their win over the Jaguars. New England wins the AFC East with a win and a Buffalo loss to New York in Week 18. The Patriots will be at least the No. 5 seed with a win.
The Patriots can clinch home-field in the AFC with a win + Bills loss + Titans loss + Chiefs loss.
Remaining schedule: at Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
What to know: The Dolphins are eliminated from the playoffs with their loss to the Titans. Their first-round draft pick goes to the Eagles in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots
New York Jets
What to…
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